Hull Vikings start 2003 season early.

Hull Vikings Speedway Team are to start their 2003 campaign a week early. An unexpected offer of a challenge match at Elite League team Belle Vue was accepted by Hull's Director of Speedway John Bailey so the East Yorkshire side are now looking forward to meeting one of speedway's "Big Gun" teams on Monday 17 March.

Next Monday's fixture will be the first test of the new Hull Vikings, which changed promoters over the winter. Hull's owners have put together a team the equal of any in the Premier League, but the Manchester-based Elite League team will be hard to beat. Despite this, the Vikings are sure they will be up to the task.

John Perrin, Promoter of Belle Vue, explained why he issued the Challenge. "Our new signing Josh Larsen won't be available for this first meeting, so we are unable to run an Elite League match. However, I want to give the team a good run out, and Hull seems to be best suited to do that."

Hull's John Bailey was pleased to accept the Challenge. "I must admit it was a bit unexpected," he commented. "We are having our 'Press and Practice Day' on Wednesday 19th, so this match will now be the first time we run. But hopefully Belle Vue will be as rusty as we will, and our team is certainly in good spirits and ready to start the season with a bang. Several of the riders have Elite League experience, so I'm sure we'll give a good account of ourselves."

The match starts at 7:45 pm on Monday, 17 March at the Kirkmanshulme Lane Stadium, Gorton, Manchester.